Guests on board ships?

[World Sailor]

Does anybody know if you can still take guest onboard ships i know they have too be off before we sail but wondered if they still even allow this Thanks Steve

[Shmoo here]

Does anybody know if you can still take guest onboard ships i know they have too be off before we sail but wondered if they still even allow this Thanks Steve

 

A few cruiselines still permit this. Some have an extra pay option for it. But, AFAIK, it must be arranged months prior to the cruise, through the cruiseline.

[SadieN]

Princess has the Bon Voyage Experience. Not all cruises or ports and it is capacity controlled.

 

Otherwise the only way to get onboard is to be a Travel Agent on a special tour or a part of a wedding.

[cb at sea]

No...guests aren't allowed like they were in day's past!

[Eng23]

Princess has the Bon Voyage Experience. Not all cruises or ports and it is capacity controlled.

 

Otherwise the only way to get onboard is to be a Travel Agent on a special tour or a part of a wedding.

These are the only ways I know of.

[kitty9]

Generally, if the cruise line allows it, and not many do since 9/11, it's only at the port of embarkation, and not usually allowed at any other port on the itinerary. It does need to be arranged way in advance and you have to fill out paperwork that includes social security numbers and there may be a security check by Homeland Security.

 

You may see guests on board on some ships, but they are always invited by the cruise line and they are travel agents or people who run large tour groups.

[chengkp75]

Generally, if the cruise line allows it, and not many do since 9/11, it's only at the port of embarkation, and not usually allowed at any other port on the itinerary. It does need to be arranged way in advance and you have to fill out paperwork that includes social security numbers and there may be a security check by Homeland Security.

 

You may see guests on board on some ships, but they are always invited by the cruise line and they are travel agents or people who run large tour groups.

 

Per the IMO, each shipping company must have a Vessel Security Plan, which controls access to the vessels. This is why all the shore personnel assisting onboard on embark day will have security passes around the neck. Everyone must be pre-screened, which goes for the tours of travel agents, etc, as well. The documentation mentioned above for the Bon Voyage, usually consists of a driver's license, SSN, and must be provided well in advance so that a check can be made, essentially the same thing CBP does with the passenger manifest provided at embarkation, with the documentation you provide.

 

Anyone who shows up to board the ship without prior clearance, regardless of who they work for, or want to see, is either turned away, or allowed to board and be escorted by a crewmember for their entire stay onboard.

[marco]

Generally, no. It's not like "once upon a time" when anyone could waltz up the gangway to a bon voyage party, or just go check out the ship. We used to do that all the time in Manhattan. Pay a buck that went to a seaman's charity (I'll bet) and you were on the ship. There were probably 3 or 4 visitors for every passenger. But now......if you know the right people, arrange in advance........ yes, you can still get on a ship if you are not a passenger, whether you know a passenger or not, as was the case for me this past February.

[mimi217]

Friends of ours just cruised on the Royal from ft.lauderdale. Their son who lives there went on board thru a program on Princess. You have to sign up in advance and there is a charge (not sure. But I want to s a y $40) It includes a lunch and if and when you book a cruise the $40 is deducted from the cost.